We’re committed to mobilising residents for Oyebanji’s re-election — APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has dismissed allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that its members are collecting Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from residents ahead of the June 20 governorship election, describing the claim as unfounded and illogical.

Reacting to the allegation, the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Segun Dipe, said the party’s ongoing activities across the state are aimed solely at sensitising and mobilising eligible voters to participate in the election, not collecting their voter cards.

Dipe argued that no individual could legitimately collect and keep another person’s PVC, stressing that such an act would be impractical and contrary to electoral regulations.

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“To the best of my knowledge and understanding, nobody can collect another person’s PVC. If I collect your PVC and keep it, then you must be a member of my family or someone very close to me. It is not possible for me to approach people who are not related to me or not members of my party and ask them to surrender their voter cards,” he said.

He explained that APC leaders and members have been moving from house to house, polling units to polling units, and wards across the state to encourage residents to obtain and keep their PVCs ahead of the election.

According to him, party officials sometimes ask residents to present their voter cards during sensitisation campaigns merely as proof that they possess them and are ready to vote.

“Sometimes, while engaging with people, you may ask them to show their voter cards as evidence that they have collected them. That does not mean the cards are being collected. Many people do not even know the difference between a voter card and a party membership registration slip, so part of our responsibility is voter education,” he stated.

Dipe maintained that the APC does not encourage the collection of PVCs and has no reason to do so since every voter can only cast one vote with his or her card.

“Our concern is voter apathy. We want people to come out and vote. That is why we have intensified voter sensitisation across the state. I am not aware of anybody collecting PVCs, and I do not think such a practice is possible or encouraged by our party,” he added.

The APC spokesman also dismissed claims that the ruling party was becoming apprehensive ahead of the election and was allegedly behind the persecution of opposition figures.